Ironer for neck bands of attached shirt collars



Aug. 25, 1936. M. HOLLOWAY IRONER FOR NECK BANDS OF- ATTACHED SHIRT COLLARS v Filed Feb. 14, 1955 Maj 0 H0 [/0 way ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IRONER FOR NECK BANDS OF ATTACHED SHIRT COLLARS My invention relates to a portable ironer for the neck bands of the collars on collar attached shirts.

The object of my invention is to provide a portable ironing device, heated or self-heating, which is adapted to'be placed within the buttoned or closed neck opening of collar attached shirts and provided with means for readily expanding and contracting it so as to set up ironing friction with the neck-band of the attached collar and thereby to efiectively iron it and set the collar.

A further object of my invention is to provide such a device with means to lock it in any desired expanded position in which it will press snugly against without unduly stretching the collar and will apply heat so as to thoroughly dry and set the collar while the shirt is being finish ironed.

My invention further comprises an ironer of the character described, comprising hinged separable heated elements surrounded by a spring ironer means, which is kept heated by the elements sufi'iciently to perform its ironing function, the elements being manipulated by novel operating mechanism so as to impart to the spring the requisite ironing movement relative to the neck band without tending to lift or dislodge the ironing device from position in the shirt collar.

My .invention further contemplates adapting a single ironing spring to so envelop the relatively movable elements of the ironer that responsive to their manipulation the spring will have relative movement to the entireneck band and at the same time will arch or bridge the gaps opening up between the ironer elements when separated.

My invention further comprises the novel details of construction and arrangements of parts which are more particularly described hereinafter and claimed, and which in their preferred embodiment only are illustratedin the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification, and in which:- I

Fig. 1 is a plan view broken away of a shirt ironing table showing a fragmental view of a shirt with my portable ironer for neck bands of attached collars in operating position.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in front elevation showing the ironing device in initial contracted position.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the ironing elements taken on the line III-III of Fig. 2.. v

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the ironing elements. in fully expanded position.

Fig. 5 is a detail vertical cross sectional view of the sleeve handle with its cocking lock lever.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on the line VI-VI of Fig. 5.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar 5 parts throughout the drawing.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated, I show a typical iron table I ll fragmentally. This, however, forms no part of my invention which is concerned only with a non-attached ironer for 10 use on any type of ironing board. I show laid out on this ironing board, ready for finish ironing, a shirt ll having its attached collar l2 shown. fastened by means of a top button I3 and held in expanded position by the ironer which forms the subject matter of my invention and which is shown in detail in the other views.

This ironer comprises a circular fiat base 14 having near its periphery a vertical hinge pin I 5 which is made fast thereto and serves to 20 pivotally assemble on the said base plate two duplicate heating segments l6 and H which have suitable ears or interleafed hinge elements slotted to receive the pivot pin l5 aboutwhich said members swing freely from their contracted 25 or closed position shown in Fig. 3 to their full expanded or open position shown in Fig. 4. 'These segments [6 and I1 comprise the op-. posed faces l8 which extend from the pivot pin inwardly to a point near the vertical center 30.,

standard l9 which is made fast at its lower end in the base l4 and rises to a considerable height above the segments. Immediately about the segments the standard Is, as seen more clearly in Fig. 2, has a shoulder or spring seat 20, for 3 the lower end of a helical compression spring 2|- surrounding the standard and bearing at its upper end against a sleeve 22 which is telescoped over and slidable on the standard and is hollow up to the handle 23 at its upper end. 7

This sleeve 22 is divided into upper and lower sections connected by offset side wings 24 (see Fig. 6) which thus leave opposite slots 25in the sleeve. p 45 I mount a pivot pin 26 on the opposite side of the lower sleeve 22 from the hinge pin I5 and Ihingeto this pin 26 the upper swinging arms 21 of a lazy tong transmission which comprises corresponding lower arms 28, each pivoted at 29 to the adjacent upper arm 21. The arms 28 are pivoted to each other at an intermediate point by a pin 30 and their divergent lower ends are each pivotally connected to a swinging suspension link 3| just above the upper level of .the 5 5 segments I6. Each link 3| has a segment actuating arm 32 depending downwardly into the open space defined between the flaring walls 33 and the arcuate extensions 34 of the segments I6 and I1. These extensions 34 are concentric with the outer periphery of their respective segments IS, IT, as shown in Fig. 3.

It will be noted in Fig. 2 that these actuating arms 32 extend slightly below a horizontal middle plane through the segments l6, H and the lower end of each arm is connected by a suitable swivel joint to a link 35 which in turn is connected by a ball and socket joint 36 to the lug 31 on the adjacent segment I16 or IT.

As seen in Figs. 2 and 3, these links 35 are substantially horizontally disposed and as the lower ends of the arms 28 swing open and closed these arms 3! also swing substantially horizontally from pivots 38 on a cross head 39 carried by a fixed standard 43 fast on the base E4 in transverse alignment with the pin l5 and standam [9 which latter stands in the center of the base.

Each of the segments [6 and I1 is formed preferably as a hollow casting with a heating element 4| therein such as an electric heater to which electric current is supplied by leads 42 and automatically controlled to keep the segments heated to a predetermined temperature suitable for ironing and setting the neck hand without burning or injuring it. Such automatic heating equipment is available on the market and. need not be specifically shown or described.

I attach to one of the segments a spring ironing band 43, this being preferably connected as shown by rivets 44 to the front side of the segment l6, from which point of connection the band continues past the hinge pin about the periphery of the segment l6 across the joint between the segments !6 and ll and about the segment I! and nearly around to pin l5, thus with its free portion making more than a complete circle about the hinged ironer segments. This spring band will expand to allow the opening movement of the ironer segments and will contract tofollow their closing movements with its ends slipping over each other as it thus moves as is indicated by a comparison in Figs. 3 and 4. This spring band preferably extends from bottom to top of the segments I6, l1, and when the ironer is expanded the front and back arcs of the band are free to bend in and relieve the strain on the collar button.

A cocking lock lever is provided for the sleeve 22 and comprises a handle portion 45 terminating in an angled bottom extension 46 which has formed therein a circular opening 4'! that is slightly larger in diameter than the standard l9 along which the lever will slide freely when its base 46 stands normal to the standard. A helical compression spring 48 is interposed between the upper end of the sleeve and lever handle 45 and tends to cock the lever into position where it will bind and lock itself and the sleeve 22 on the standard IS. The end 43 of the lever will pass freely through the opposite sleeve slots 25 and between the side members 24 into such position that the sleeve, when the latter is forced downwardly, will engage the lever end 46 and force it to a horizontal position, thus releasing it from binding action on the standard l9 and compressing spring 48.

In operation, a shirt comes for the finish-ironing with its collar rough-ironed and the present practice has been, in a separate operationto shape and iron the neck band, after which the finish-ironing of the shirt body proceeds. In the practice of my invention, when a shirt is laid upon the table, its unfinished collar is fastened by button l3 or the like and my improved ironer is then lifted, with its segments in contracted position as shown in Fig. 3, and is set freely and quickly down into the collar neck band, whereupon, the handle 23 is depressed, breaking the lock of lever 45 and forcing the links 35 apart by the lazy tong action of the link elements 2T, 28, 3| and 32. By this action the ironer segments l6, I! are spread or expanded until the ironing band 43 fits snugly against the neck band. Thereupon, the operator presses lever 45 to hold its end 43 released from the standard l9 and proceeds to reciprocate the handle 23 up and down several times with short sharp movements, not too powerful, which act to further expand and then to contract the segments 20 l6, [1, which action causes a slipping movement of the hot ironing band 43- against theneck: band of the collar. This slipping movement'of theheating band, though slight, is ample toiron the collar neck band.

When the ironing operation is completed, which is accomplished with a few short quick ac tuations of the handle, the latter is pressed down:

sufficiently to expand the band into firm engagement with the neck band and upon release ofpressure on the handle the lock 4'6'wil1' cock and bind on the standard |9I and hold the sleeve 22 in set position with the segments expanded and."

the collar and neck hand held tightly in upright 0 position against the hot ironing band. The ironer is leftin this position in the collar while the oper ator proceeds to complete the finish-ironingof the shirt, and while so engaged the hot ironer completes the drying and setting of the neck band and collar and leaves it set in correct posi-' tion so that, when the ironing of the shirt is completed, the locking lever 45 can be grasped to release its grip on the standard, whereupon thesleeve 22 will rise, the ironer elements will be' contracted, and the ironer can be lifted readily out of the shirt collar, after" which the shirt can be folded and bound with its collar set and ironed in the most desirable manner.

It is of importance to note that the manner of actuating the segments is such as to exert only a lateral thrust on them, and that the reciprocation of thehandle does not tend to lift the ironer from the position in the shirt, which would be' objectionable.

It is further to" be noted that the manner in which I manipulate the segments is such as not to subjectthe segments to powerful forces, as otherwise the collar button might be brokenor torn loose or the neck band unduly stretched or injured. Only a very slight slipping movement of the ironing band is required toiron the" neck' band and it will be noted that the band will have this movement throughout the full extent of the neck band of the shirt, the ironing bandnot only bridging the gap' between the extensions 34 of the segments but also spanning the offset that occurs betweenthe pivoted edges of the segments when they assume the wide open position shown in Fig. 4. This tends to set the neck opening more nearly round.

While I prefer to use electrical heating elements in the segments, my invention contemplates that the ironer may be heated in any available wayand inits broadest aspect the in vention comprises a portable expansible ironer suitably heated with a spring ironing band encircling its expansible elements so asto have bodily movement with reference tothe surround ing neck band, when the ironer is set in the collar opening of a shirt and manipulated.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications, without -de-- parting from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:--

1. An ironer for the neck bands of collar-attached shirts, comprising relatively movable elements adapted to be heated, an ironing band encircling and heated by said elements and adapted to be received in the neck band to be ironed and to be expanded into engagement therewith, and freely operable reciprocable means adapted to manipulate said elements to cause the ironing band to expand and contract while pressed against the neck band, for the purposes described.

2. A portable ironer according to claim 1, in combination with latch means to lock said elements with the ironing band held expanded into full engagement with the shirt collar band to set it.

3. A portable ironer according to claim 1, in which the elements are mounted for movement in a horizontal plane and the reciprocable means for actuating them is mounted for movement normal to said plane.

4. A portable ironer according to claim 1, in which the elements are hinged to a base free to swing horizontally, and their actuating means comprise a vertical guide on said base, a member reciprocable on said guide, and a transmission to connect said member to said elements.

5. A portable ironer for the neck bands of collar-attached shirts, comprising a base, horizontally reciprocable heater elements mounted on said base,*a spring ironing band encircling said elements and adapted to be heated and expanded thereby into engagement with the collar neck band, and actuating means to reciprocate said elements and operate the band to iron said neck band.

6. A portable ironer for the neck bands of collar-attached shirts according to claim 5, the actuating means comprising a standard mounted on the base between said elements and rising above them, an actuator vertically reciprocable on said guide, and means to translate said vertical reciprocations into lateral motion to operate said heater elements.

'7. A portable ironer for the neck bands of collar-attached shirts, comprising a base, heater elements hinged thereto and when collapsed forming a substantially circular sectional body, a spring ironing band attached at one end only to one of said heater elements and encircling both, and vertically reciprocable actuating means to open and close said elements and cause the ironing band to press and have slippa e against the neck band.

8. A portable ironer according to claim 5, in which the actuating means comprise a guide, an actuator slidable vertically thereon, spring means to return said actuator, and laterally movable standard rising substantially centrally above the.

heater elements, a sleeve reciprocable on said standard, a handle to depress the sleeve, a spring to retract it, and a lazy tongs transmission to translate the vertical sleeve motion into lateral thrust to open said heater elements.

10. A portable iron according to claim 5, in

which the actuating means comprise a vertical standard rising substantially centrally above the heater elements, a sleeve reciprocable on said standard, a handle to depress the sleeve, a spring to retract it, and a lazy tongs transmission comprising horizontal links and swinging suspension elements therefor adapted to translate the vertical sleeve motion into lateral thrust to open said heater elements.

11. In an ironer for neck bands of collar attached shirts, a coiled ironing band with inner elements to keep it hot, means to expand and contract the band while in engagement with the neck band to iron the latter, and latch means adapted to be disengaged during the ironing operation and upon release to engage and hold the heated ironing band in expanded position against the collar to set it.

12. An ironer for the neck bands of collarattached shirts, comprising separable elements adapted to be heated and having outer arcuate surfaces, reciprocable actuating mechanism to expand and contract said elements, and an ironer element engaging said arcuate surfaces and adapted to span the gap between the expanded elements.

13. An ironer for the neck bands of collarattached shirts, comprising separable elements containing heating means and. having outer arcuate surfaces, reciprocable actuating mecha nism to expand and contract said elements, a band ironer adapted to span the gap between the expanded elements, and latch means to hold the ironer elements expanded into engagement with the collar to set it.

14. An ironer for the neck bands of collarattached shirts, comprising relatively movable elements adapted to be heated, spring ironer means embracing and heated by said elements and adapted to be received in the neck band to be ironed and to be expanded into engagement therewith, and freely operable reciprocable means adapted to operate said elements to cause the ironer means to expand and contract while pressed against the neck band, for the purposes described.

15. A portable ironer for the neck bands of collar-attached shirts, comprising a base, horizontally reciprocable heater elements mounted on said base, a spring ironing means embracing said elements and adapted to be heated and expanded thereby into engagement with the collar neck band, and actuating means to reciprocate said elements and operate the ironing means to eration and upon release to engage and hold the heated band ironer in expanded position against the collar to set it.

17. A portable ironer for the neck bands of collar attached shirts, comprising an arcuate expansible ironer adapted to be received freely in a closed neck band, a means embraced by said ironer for keeping it hot, and means which is operable to exp-and the ironer until it engages and stretches the neck band to be ironed and which is freely reciprocable to cause the ironer to expand and contract andthereby toslip within.

theneck band: and iron it.

18-. A portable ironer for the neck bands of collar attached shirts, comprising arcuate spring band ironing means, a heater embraced by said band ironing means, and actuating means comprising elements. adapted to expand and contract the band ironing means and elements to hold said band ironing means in position to stretch and set the ironed neck band.

' MAYO HOLLOWAY. 

